Router with automatic protocol configuration and methods of use

ABSTRACT

A router is provided that automatically configures itself to support Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) or Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) communication protocols or other suitable communication protocols such as static IP, as required by an internet service provider. A user at a personal computer that is connected to the router via a local area network need not manually supply configuration information to the router for this purpose. The router may detect which communication protocol is to be used by monitoring which client set-up processes are initiated by the personal computer and by attempting to use those processes to communicate with the internet service provider. Successful responses from the internet service provider are used to confirm which protocol the router is to use for supporting subsequent communications between the personal computer and the internet service provider.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to computer networks, and moreparticularly, to automatically configuring routers.

[0002] Home and small-office networking is increasingly popular. Usersmay connect personal computers to form local area networks in the homeor office. By networking, users may communicate between computers andmay share resources such as printers and broadband connections.

[0003] Although web-based interfaces have simplified the set-up processsomewhat, users may still face difficulties when installing a router.After a user has made all required physical connections between thepersonal computers and peripherals in the user's network and a router, atypical web-based set-up procedure for the router will require the userto launch an internet browser and enter an internet protocol (IP)address that has been provided by the router manufacturer. A serverimplemented on the router will then provide the user with a web pagethat allows the user to enter user-specific configuration informationfor the router.

[0004] For example, when setting up the user's broadband connection, theuser must typically enter user-specific configuration information thatallows the router to be configured properly to work with the user'sinternet service provider. Such information may, for example, includeauthentication information such as a username and password or hostidentifier (ID) and domain name. The user may also enter informationthat informs the router of what type of modem technology the user has(e.g., a cable modem or a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem).

[0005] The router may be configured based on the user-suppliedinformation. However, set-up information that is gathered from the userin this way may not always be sufficiently accurate to ensure that therouter uses the correct communication protocol to communicate with theuser's internet service provider (ISP). This is because not all internetservice providers that provide their subscribers with DSL modems operateusing the same protocols and not all internet service providers thatprovide their subscribers with cable modems operate using the sameprotocols. Merely specifying that the user has one type of modem or theother is not a completely accurate method of ensuring that theappropriate service provider communication protocol is used by therouter to communicate with the ISP.

[0006] Moreover, it would be desirable to minimize or eliminate the needfor the user to enter any information at all using the web-based set-upscreen. Ideally, the user would not need to know anything technicalabout their set-up such as what type of communication protocol is usedby their internet service provider or what type of modem technology theyare using. This type of plug-and-play arrangement would make installingand configuring the router easier for the average user and wouldtherefore minimize requirements for customer support on the part of therouter manufacturer and internet service providers.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide arouter that has automatic configuration capabilities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] This and other objects of the invention are accomplished inaccordance with the present invention by providing an automaticallyconfiguring router. The router has a processor that monitors thecommunication protocol that is being used by a personal computer inattempting to connect to an internet service provider. The processordetermines whether that communication protocol is the correct protocolto use to support communications with the internet service provider,and, if the protocol is correct, the processor stores informationidentifying the protocol in memory for the router to use in supportingsubsequent communications between the personal computer and internetservice provider.

[0009] Initially, a home or office user may connect the router at asuitable network location. For example, the user may connect the routerat a point located between a local area Ethernet network and a sharedbroadband modem. The physical connections between the personal computersin the local area network and the router may be wireless links (e.g.,IEEE 802.11(b) links), may be universal serial bus (USB) links, may bebased on standard Ethernet cables and links, or may be based on anysuitable link technology.

[0010] Depending on the type of communication protocols used by theuser's internet service provider (ISP) and the user's modem, the routermay need to communicate using different communication protocols. Forexample, a user of a DSL service may have an ISP that uses thePoint-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) protocol for internetcommunications, whereas a user of a cable modem service may have an ISPthat uses the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) protocol forinternet communications. As another example, a user of a DSL service mayhave an ISP that requires the use of the DHCP protocol for internetcommunications. DSL and cable modem services may also be provided byISPs that require the use of an internet communication protocol based onstatic IP addressing.

[0011] After the user has made the necessary physical connectionsbetween the router and the rest of the network elements, the user mayinitiate broadband communications. For example, the user may boot up apersonal computer on the network and may launch an internet browser.

[0012] When the personal computer boots up, the personal computer andthe router establish a communications link. For example, the personalcomputer can use the DHCP protocol that is embedded in the Windowsoperating system. During the DHCP client set-up process, the router willprovide the personal computer with information on the appropriate IPaddress, gateway IP address, and domain name server for the personalcomputer and router to communicate with each other. The router may thenobtain authentication information for use in logging on to the internetthrough the user's ISP. The router may obtain this information using aweb-based setup screen or by negotiating with the personal computer toobtain the authentication information.

[0013] After the personal computer has been successfully booted up, theuser may launch a web browser or other software to connect to theinternet. The user may or may not have previously set up the personalcomputer's internet communication protocols correctly. For example, theuser may have correctly installed a PPPoE client for communications overa DSL modem with an ISP that requires that internet communications usePPPoE protocols or may have incorrectly installed a PPPoE client on thepersonal computer even though the user's ISP uses the DHCP protocol.Regardless of whether the user has properly set up the personalcomputer, the router may automatically detect the appropriatecommunication protocol to use. Because the router performs this set-uptask automatically without user intervention, it is not necessary torequire the user to enter this set-up information in the initialconfiguration web page. This simplifies the set-up process, increasesaccuracy, and may allow the router to be configured without aconfiguration web page.

[0014] Further features of the invention, its nature and variousadvantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and thefollowing detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative system using arouter in accordance with the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing steps involved in setting upcommunications between a personal computer and the router in accordancewith the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 3 is a diagram of an illustrative DHCP set-up process inaccordance with the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 4 is a diagram of an illustrative PPPoE set-up process inaccordance with the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 5 is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in using arouter in accordance with the present invention to form an internetcommunications link between a personal computer that uses only a DHCPclient and an ISP that requires use of the DHCP protocol.

[0020]FIG. 6 is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in using arouter in accordance with the present invention to form an internetcommunications link between a personal computer that uses both DHCP andPPPoE protocols and an ISP that requires use of the DHCP protocol.

[0021]FIG. 7 is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in using arouter in accordance with the present invention to form an internetcommunications link between a personal computer that uses both DHCP andPPPoE protocols and an ISP that requires use of the PPPoE protocol.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] An illustrative system 10 in which a router 12 in accordance withthe present invention may be used is shown in FIG. 1. Router 12 may havea processor 13 (e.g., a microprocessor or one or more other suitableprocessors) and memory 15. System 10 may include a local area network 14that has one or more personal computers 16 and other network elements(e.g., peripherals such as printers and storage devices). Local areanetwork 14 may be located in a user's home or office or any othersuitable location in which it is desired to interconnect networkelements.

[0023] Personal computers 16 may be, for example, personal computersrunning the Windows operating system or any other suitable computers.Personal computers 16 and other network elements in local area network14 may be interconnected by communications links 18 that are based onEthernet cables, universal serial bus cables, wireless paths (e.g.,paths based on the IEEE 802.11(b) standard) or any other suitablenetwork links. Router 12 and modem 20 may also be connected to localarea network 14 using links 18. Modem 20 may be, for example, abroadband modem such as a cable modem or a digital subscriber line (DSL)modem. Modem 20 may be connected to internet service provider (ISP) 22by communications path 24. Router 12 uses modem 20 to communicate withISP 22 and therefore to support communications between personalcomputers 16 in network 14 and ISP 22. Communications path 24 may be,for example, a cable or telephone path. ISP 22 acts as a gateway to theinternet.

[0024] When one of personal computers 16 boots up, communicationsbetween that personal computer 16 and router 12 may be established. Asshown on the personal computer side of FIG. 2, when the computer bootsup the computer's BIOS may be automatically run (step 24). This loadsand runs the computer's operating system (e.g., Windows or any othersuitable operating system) at step 26. Once the operating system isrunning, the operating system automatically detects the presence ofnetwork communications hardware such as an Ethernet card at step 28. ATCP/IP stack on the personal computer (e.g., the TCP/IP stack that isbuilt into Windows) may then be used to support IP traffic on link 18,as shown by step 30. To set up communications between the personalcomputer and router 12, the personal computer's client software (e.g., aDHCP or PPPoE client) may then run a client setup process, at step 32.For example, the default client set-up process for step 32 may be basedon the DHCP protocol, which is embedded in the Windows operating systemand therefore cannot be removed.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the processor in router 12 follows a boot-upprocedure that is similar to that of personal computer 16. The BIOS ofthe router is run at step 34, which loads the operating system for therouter at step 36. The Ethernet communications and TCP/IP communicationscapabilities of the router are shown as being enabled at steps 38 and40. At this stage, a DHCP server application implemented on router 12waits for a DHCP request from the personal computer (step 42). When aDHCP REQ command is received, the router sends an IP address (i.e., theIP address assigned to the personal computer), a gateway IP address(i.e., the IP address of the router acting as a gateway), and domainname server (DNS) address information (a domain name server is a serverthat stores information for translating web addresses such aswww.yahoo.com into IP addresses). When the personal computer receivesthis information, a communications link is established and the personalcomputer and router may then rest in an idle state until furtheractivity is initiated.

[0026] Such further activity may result, for example, when a user at thepersonal computer launches a browser or otherwise attempts to usesoftware on the personal computer to communicate with ISP 22 (e.g., toretrieve information from the internet).

[0027] When the user initially sets up the router, the router mayprovide the user with a web-page interface. The user may reach theweb-page interface by entering an IP address that the routermanufacturer provides to the user. The web-page interface allows theuser to provide authentication information (e.g., username and passwordinformation or domain name and host ID information) to the router thatthe router can store for later use in connecting to ISP 22. If therouter stores the user authentication information in this way, otherusers on local area network 14 need not know the appropriateauthentication information to use when establishing communications withISP and the initial or primary user need not repeatedly supply thisinformation to router 12.

[0028] If desired, the router may automatically negotiate with thepersonal computer to obtain the authentication information, therebyobviating the need for a web-page interface. Details of a suitableautomatic method for obtaining user authentication information for therouter are provided in commonly-assigned copending patent applicationSer. No. ______, filed Mar. 20, 2002, (Attorney Docket No. ACN-012),entitled “Information Routing Device Having An Auto-ConfigurationFeature,” which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

[0029] During operation, router 12 acts as a server for client requestsfrom the personal computers 16 of local area network 14. Router 12retransmits client requests from each personal computer 16 to ISP 22 inreal time. In this capacity, router 12 acts as a client that submitsrequests to the ISP gateway server. When the ISP server delivers data tothe client application on the router, the router passes this informationalong to the personal computer (acting, in this capacity, as a serverfor the personal computer client).

[0030] Effective operation of router 12 in passing communicationsbetween personal computer 16 and ISP 22 is the use of the propercommunication protocol. Although different ISPs use different protocols,each ISP will generally only support the use of one protocol for theusers attached to that ISP. Typical ISPs for DSL modem users use thePPPoE protocol, although such ISPs may also use the DHCP protocol.Typical cable modem ISPs use DHCP, although such ISPs may also usePPPoE. Other protocols may also be supported. For example, older DSL andcable modem ISPs may use static IP addressing.

[0031] In accordance with the present invention, router 12 canautomatically detect the appropriate protocol to use to communicate withISP 22. For clarity, the present invention will focus on illustrativeexamples where ISP 22 is using either DHCP or PPPoE. It will beappreciated, however, that the present invention also applies to ISPsthat use the static IP protocol or other suitable communicationprotocols.

[0032] To establish communications between a client and a server usingDHCP or PPPoE, an appropriate DHCP or PPPoE set-up process must besuccessfully completed.

[0033] Steps involved in the DHCP client set-up process are shown inFIG. 3. At step 1 of FIG. 3, a DHCP server discover step is performed.In essence, the client requests an offer from an available server (i.e.,queries whether any working servers are present). If an available DHCPserver receives the client request of step 1, the DHCP server issues anoffer to the client at step 2. At step 3, the client then responds byissuing a DHCP request to the server of step 2. The DHCP requestcontains the domain name and host ID information that is needed forauthentication. At step 4, the DHCP server checks to see if the clientis authorized. If the domain name and host ID information are correct,the DHCP server sends a reply that includes an IP address for the client(i.e., the client's IP address for receiving communications), a suitablegateway IP address, and DNS address information. If the domain name andhost ID information are not correct, the DHCP server rejects the requestof step 3. (The steps of FIG. 3 are the steps involved with steps 32 and42 of FIG. 2).

[0034] Steps involved in the PPPoE client set-up process are shown inFIG. 4. At step 1, the PPPoE client performs a discover process, seekingavailable servers. More than one PPPoE server may respond with a PPPoEoffer at step 2. At step 3, the client makes a PPPoE session request,which includes information identifying a particular PPPoE server that isbeing requested from all of the available servers. During step 4 of FIG.4, a PPPoE server session may be created. First, at step 4 a, data linkset up steps are performed by the client and server using the LCPprotocol portion of the PPP protocol suite. For example, parameters suchas checksum method (for example, FCS), maximum receive unit (MRU), andpacket size are established. After successful completion of step 4 a,the PPP authentication process is performed using the authenticationinformation and appropriate protocols (PAP, CHAP, MS-CHAP, EAP, SPAP).If authentication step 4 b is not successful, the PPPoE client set-upprocess and the entire session terminate. If authentication step 4 b issuccessful, the IPCP process is performed at step 4 c. During the IPCPprocess, communications parameters such as IP address, gateway IPaddress, and DNS information are provided to the client.

[0035] Router 12 and personal computer 16 may communicate following aset-up procedure of the type shown in FIG. 2. To support communicationsbetween personal computer 16 and ISP 22, router 12 must know whichcommunication protocol is to be used by router 12 to supportcommunications between router 12 and ISP 22. As an illustrative example,this protocol might be either DHCP or PPPoE. In accordance with thepresent invention, the router 12 may automatically determine whichprotocol to use by monitoring communications from the personal computer16, by attempting to communicate with ISP 22 using the same protocol orprotocols used by the personal computer 16, and by observing the resultsof these attempts. When the router 12 successfully communicates with theISP 22, the router thereafter “knows” that the communication protocolthat was used is the correct one. Information on which communicationprotocol was successful may be stored in the memory 15 in the router (ifdesired) and used to support subsequent communications between personalcomputer 16 and ISP 22.

[0036] In the present illustrative example, ISP 22 may be the type ofISP that requires the use of the DHCP protocol or the type of ISP thatrequires the use of the PPPoE protocol. The user may or may not haveinstalled the correct client software on personal computer 16 to supportcommunications using the correct protocol. The user may, for example,have downloaded third-party software that installed a PPPoE client whena DHCP client should have been used or vice versa. As a result, thereare several possible scenarios that should be handled by the router 12.

[0037] One possible situation is that the internet service providerprotocol is DHCP and the user at the personal computer uses only a DHCPclient (e.g., the DHCP client that is embedded within Windows). As shownby step 44 of FIG. 5, the user may initiate communications using theDHCP client set-up process (i.e., the process of FIG. 3). For example,the user may launch a web browser that attempts to retrieve a web pageafter using the DHCP client. This attempt is detected by router 12.Because the router detected DHCP communications, at step 46 the routeralso attempts to communicate with ISP 22 using the DHCP client set-upprocess of FIG. 3. The ISP 22 uses DHCP (in the scenario of FIG. 5), sofollowing successful authentication by ISP 22, the router receives IP,gateway, and DNS information from the ISP server and thereafter usesDHCP to support internet communications between personal computer 16 andISP 22. Information identifying DHCP as the correct protocol to use maybe stored in memory 15 by processor 13.

[0038] Another situation is shown by the steps of FIG. 6. In thescenario of FIG. 6, the internet service provider protocol required byISP 22 is DHCP, but the personal computer 16 attempts to communicateusing both DHCP and PPPoE (e.g., due to the use of mistakenly loadedPPPoE software). As shown by step 50, personal computer 16 attempts tocommunicate with ISP 22 using both DHCP and PPPoE. If the DHCP request(the DHCP set-up process of FIG. 3) is received before the PPPoE request(the PPPoE set-up process of FIG. 4), the router attempts to communicatewith ISP 22 using DHCP at step 52. Because ISP 22 uses DHCP (in thescenario of FIG. 6), the router receives a response including IP,gateway, and DNS information. Successful receipt of this information isconfirmation that the ISP supports DHCP, so the router thereafter usesDHCP to communicate with ISP 22 at step 54. Information identifying DHCPas the correct protocol to use may be stored by processor 13 in memory15.

[0039] If the PPPoE request occurs before the DHCP request, the routerrepeatedly attempts (unsuccessfully) to set up communications with ISP22 at step 56 (using the PPPoE set-up process of FIG. 4), whilemonitoring link 18 with personal computer 16 for DHCP requests. When aDHCP request is received, control passes to step 52 and DHCPcommunications are established and thereafter used by router 12 at step54. Information identifying DHCP as the correct protocol to use may bestored in memory 15 by processor 13.

[0040] The internet service provider may require the use of the PPPoEprotocol. The behavior of router 12 in this scenario is illustrated inFIG. 7. At step 58, personal computer 16 may attempt to communicate withISP 22 using both DHCP and PPPoE. If the PPPoE request is receivedbefore the DHCP request, at step 60 router 12 attempts to communicatewith ISP 22 using the PPPoE client set-up process of FIG. 4. Because theISP 22 uses PPPoE (in the scenario of FIG. 7), the router receives aresponse including IP, gateway, and DNS information from the server atthe ISP, which confirms that the ISP is using PPPoE. The router 12 maythereafter use PPPoE in supporting communications between personalcomputer 16 and ISP 22. Information identifying PPPoE as the correctprotocol to use may be stored in memory 15 by processor 13.

[0041] If the DHCP request is received before the PPPoE request, at step64 the router 12 repeatedly attempts (unsuccessfully) to establishcommunications with ISP 22 using the DHCP client set-up process of FIG.3, while monitoring link 18 between router 12 and personal computer 16for a PPPoE request from personal computer 16. When a PPPoE request isreceived from personal computer 16 by router 12, router 12 attempts toestablish communications with the ISP 22 using PPPoE at step 60 and,following a successful response, thereafter supports communications withISP 22 using PPPoE at step 62. Information identifying PPPoE as theappropriate communication protocol to use for subsequent communicationsmay be store by processor 13 in memory 15.

[0042] Although the scenarios described in connection with FIGS. 3-7have used DHCP and PPPoE as protocols as an example, it will beappreciated that these protocols are merely illustrative. The router 12may detect and use any suitable protocols required by ISP 22, includingstatic IP, DHCP, PPPoE, and any other suitable protocols. Moreover,although the invention has been described in the context of a router 12that is suitable for use in a home or small office environment, anyother suitable communications equipment that supports local area networkcommunications between a plurality of computers and peripherals such asprinters and modems or other network elements may be used in place ofrouter 12 if desired.

[0043] It will be understood that the foregoing is only illustrative ofthe principles of the invention and that various modifications can bemade by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope andspirit of the invention. Many examples of such modifications have beengiven through the foregoing specification.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for automatically determiningwhich internet service provider communication protocol to use to supportcommunications between a personal computer and an internet serviceprovider via a router, the method comprising: determining which clientset-up process protocol is used by the personal computer in attemptingto establish communications with the internet service provider;attempting to establish communications between the router and theinternet service provider using the client set-up process protocol usedby the personal computer; and if the client set-up process protocol issuccessful in establishing communications between the router and theinternet service provider, storing information identifying the clientset-up process protocol for subsequent use.
 2. The method defined inclaim 1 wherein the internet service provider protocol is selected fromthe group consisting of DHCP, PPPoE, and static IP.
 3. The methoddefined in claim 1 wherein the internet service provider protocol isselected from the group consisting of DHCP and PPPoE.
 4. The methoddefined in claim 1 further comprising using PPPoE to supportcommunications between the personal computer and the internet serviceprovider after the router receives IP, gateway, and DNS information fromthe internet service provider in response to attempting communicationswith the internet service provider using a PPPoE client set-up process.5. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising using DHCP tosupport communications between the personal computer and the internetservice provider after the router receives IP, gateway, and DNSinformation from the internet service provider in response to attemptingcommunications with the internet service provider using a DHCP clientset-up process.
 6. A method for a router to automatically detect whetheran internet service provider with which the router communicates requiresthe use of DHCP or requires the use of PPPoE, wherein the router is usedto support communications between a personal computer that is connectedto the router and the internet service provider using a modem,comprising: monitoring communications from the personal computer;determining when the personal computer is attempting to communicate withthe internet service provider; determining whether the personal computeris using DHCP or PPPoE when making the attempts to communicate with theinternet service provider; attempting to communicate with the serviceprovider using the same communication protocol that it has beendetermined that the personal computer is using to attempt to communicatewith the internet service provider; and determining whether the attemptof the router to communicate with the internet service provider issuccessful and, when the attempt of the router to communicate with theinternet service provider is successful, using the same communicationprotocol to support subsequent communications between the personalcomputer and the internet service provider.
 7. The method defined inclaim 6 wherein the modem is a cable modem and said same communicationprotocol is DHCP.
 8. The method defined in claim 6 wherein the modem isa DSL modem and said same communication protocol is PPPoE.
 9. The methoddefined in claim 6 wherein the modem is a DSL modem and said samecommunication protocol is DHCP.
 10. A method for a router toautomatically detect which communication protocol is used by an internetservice provider with which the router communicates, wherein thecommunication protocol is selected from the group consisting of DHCP,PPPoE, and static IP, wherein the router is used to supportcommunications between a personal computer that is connected to therouter and the internet service provider using a modem, comprising:monitoring communications from the personal computer; determining whenthe personal computer is attempting to communicate with the internetservice provider; determining whether the personal computer is usingDHCP, PPPoE, or static IP when making the attempts to communicate withthe internet service provider; attempting to communicate with theservice provider using the same communication protocol that it has beendetermined that the personal computer is using to attempt to communicatewith the internet service provider; and determining whether the attemptof the router to communicate with the internet service provider issuccessful and, when the attempt of the router to communicate with theinternet service provider is successful, using the same communicationprotocol to support subsequent communications between the personalcomputer and the internet service provider.
 11. A method for using arouter to automatically detect which internet service providercommunication protocol to use to support communications between apersonal computer that is connected to the router and an internetservice provider with which the router communicates using a modem,comprising: using the router to monitor which client set-up processprotocol the personal computer uses as the personal computer attempts toestablish communications with the internet service provider; using therouter to attempt to establish communications with the internet serviceprovider using the same client set-up process protocol used by thepersonal computer; and using the same client set-up process protocolused by the personal computer as the internet service provider protocolfor the router to use whenever that same client set-up process protocolis successful in establishing communications between the router and theinternet service provider.
 12. The method defined in claim 11 whereinthe internet service provider protocol is selected from the groupconsisting of DHCP, PPPoE, and static IP.
 13. The method defined inclaim 11 wherein the internet service provider protocol is selected fromthe group consisting of DHCP and PPPoE.
 14. The method defined in claim11 further comprising using PPPoE to support communications between thepersonal computer and the internet service provider after the routerreceives IP, gateway, and DNS information from the internet serviceprovider in response to attempting communications with the internetservice provider using a PPPoE client set-up process.
 15. The methoddefined in claim 11 further comprising using DHCP to supportcommunications between the personal computer and the internet serviceprovider after the router receives IP, gateway, and DNS information fromthe internet service provider in response to attempting communicationswith the internet service provider using a DHCP client set-up process.16. A router that is configured to automatically determine whichinternet service provider communication protocol to use to supportcommunications between a personal computer and an internet serviceprovider, comprising: a processor; and memory, wherein the processor andmemory are configured to: determine which client set-up process protocolis used by the personal computer in attempting to establishcommunications with the internet service provider; attempt to establishcommunications between the router and the internet service providerusing the client set-up process protocol used by the personal computer;and if the client set-up process protocol is successful in establishingcommunications between the router and the internet service provider,store information in the memory that identifies the client setup processprotocol for subsequent use.
 17. The router defined in claim 16 whereinthe internet service provider protocol is selected from the groupconsisting of DHCP, PPPoE, and static IP.
 18. The router defined inclaim 16 wherein the internet service provider protocol is selected fromthe group consisting of DHCP and PPPoE.
 19. The router defined in claim16, wherein the processor and memory are further configured to use PPPoEto support communications between the personal computer and the internetservice provider after the router receives IP, gateway, and DNSinformation from the internet service provider in response to attemptingcommunications with the internet service provider using a PPPoE clientset-up process.
 20. The router defined in claim 16 wherein the processorand memory are further configured to use DHCP to support communicationsbetween the personal computer and the internet service provider afterthe router receives IP, gateway, and DNS information from the internetservice provider in response to attempting communications with theinternet service provider using a DHCP client set-up process.